Robotic Operating Head for Flexible Article Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-productivity machines face challenges in efficiently transferring articles from equidistant channels to compartments in a supply line, requiring a method to vary the number of articles in each compartment while maintaining continuous movement.
Innovation Solution
A robotic operating head with aspirating suckers synchronizes with the movement of channels and supply line, allowing for the insertion of a predetermined number of articles into compartments, ranging from equal to, less than, or greater than the number of channels, by strategically positioning and unloading articles using multiple lines of suckers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robotic operating head with aspirating suckers is used to transfer articles from multiple channels to compartments, then the flexibility to vary the number of articles per compartment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating head is divided into multiple independent lines of suckers (first line, second line, third line) that can be activated selectively. Each line corresponds to a specific channel and can independently pick up articles, allowing flexible configuration of articles per compartment without requiring a completely different mechanism for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The same operating head structure with multiple sucker lines serves multiple functions: it can pick up one article per channel, two articles per channel, or any combination thereof by selectively activating different lines. This universal structure eliminates the need for separate picking mechanisms for each article-per-compartment configuration.
2Productivity
If the operating head synchronizes with continuous movement of channels and supply line, then productivity is maintained, but the control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The channels and supply line move continuously without stopping during the article transfer operation. The operating head synchronizes its picking and placing actions with this continuous movement, eliminating idle time and maintaining maximum productivity throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs synchronization control that monitors the positions and speeds of the channels and supply line, adjusting the operating head's actions in real-time to maintain precise coordination. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate article placement despite the continuous movement of all components.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple lines of suckers are used to pick up articles from equidistant channels, then the number of articles per compartment can be increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lines of suckers are integrated into a single operating head structure that moves as one unit. This merging of multiple picking functions into a single coordinated mechanism allows the system to pick up multiple articles simultaneously from different channels and place them in the same compartment, increasing quantity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables flexible and efficient insertion of articles into compartments, maintaining productivity by synchronizing the movement of the operating head with the channels and supply line, allowing for rapid variation in the number of articles per compartment.
Implementation Method 1
A robotic operating head with aspirating suckers synchronizes with the movement of channels and supply line, allowing for the insertion of a predetermined number of articles into compartments
Data Source
AI summary
In the present method, which includes use of an operating head, groups of articles are intermittently picked up from a plurality of identical flanked channels (10, 20, 30) which bear articles (3) equidistanced from one another. The articles are ordered in groups in identical flanked lines (F1, F2, F3) and in a number that is equal to the number of channels. In the method, each group of articles is transferred above a supply line (40) provided with equidistanced compartments corresponding to the articles arranged on the channels. Each line of articles is unloaded into underlying compartments (4) of a series of compartments in the line. It is thus possible to insert into the compartments of a series of compartments an equal, smaller or greater number of articles than the number of channels.